Harborough Town Chairman Discusses Excitement for FA Cup Match

Harborough Town, a non-league team known as the Bees, is experiencing significant excitement regarding what is described as the most important match in their history. The upcoming FA Cup tie on Sunday has become the primary topic of conversation in the Leicestershire village of Market Harborough, particularly with former Brazilian international Sandro scheduled to debut in midfield. Over 3,000 supporters, a number sufficient to fill their Bowden Park home ground three times, are expected to travel to Reading for the game. Peter Dougan, co-chairman of the Bees, conveyed to BBC East Midlands Today, “I don’t think it’s sunk in yet; it’s unbelievable and certainly has caused a buzz around the town.” Dougan’s association with the club spans nearly four decades, beginning with his time as a player in 1985. His tenure with the Bees began when they competed on park pitches in the town center. He transitioned with the club to their current home ground as they expanded in the 1990s and remained during the “tough times” post-2000. This period included a merger with another local team, leading to a temporary cessation of the Harborough Town identity, before the club reinstated its original name in 2007. Currently competing in the seventh tier of English football, the club is preparing for what is considered the most significant match in its 49-year history. This involves traveling to Reading to confront the former Premier League club in the second round of the FA Cup. Dougan stated, “As a football club, we are looking forward to the day, and I’m immensely proud to be part of that.” Harborough is currently experiencing its most successful FA Cup campaign to date. The team has secured five victories, progressing through four qualifying rounds. This journey culminated in setting up the match against League One club Reading, achieved by defeating fellow non-league team Tonbridge Angels. The day following their draw against the Royals, Harborough garnered additional attention with the announcement that Sandro, a former midfielder for Brazil and Tottenham, would emerge from retirement to play for the non-league team. Mitch Austin, Harborough Town’s manager and a Tottenham supporter, orchestrated what has been described as the year’s most improbable transfer, acknowledging that the situation still feels surreal. Austin commented, “It’s still a pinch me moment.” He added, “A lot of the attention has been on him, and he has given a lot back to us. He has to do the business on the pitch for us as well, and I have a lot of confidence that he can and that the boys around him will enjoy the moment.” Austin characterized Harborough’s cup achievements this season as “something we didn’t know we could achieve.” He expressed his enjoyment of every moment and desires his players to approach the match against Reading, a team positioned 104 places higher in the English football pyramid, with the same enthusiasm. Speaking to BBC Radio Leicester, Austin remarked, “I don’t want it to end, and it will at some stage, but I’m trying to get another squeeze out of for the Reading game.”